Promising long-distance runner Loice Chekwemoi will be Uganda’s spearhead at this year’s edition of the International Schools Sports Associations (ISF) Cross Country Championships due April 22-27 in Strbske, Slovakia.

Chekwemoi who was a star performer at the 2021 ISF U15 games in Belgrade, Serbia, winning a gold medal in the 1500m race and then leading Uganda to a silver in the medley relay, is one of the 12 selected athletes to have tasted international competition.

The 16-year-old, who finished only a couple of seconds behind winner Scarlet Chebet for silver after clocking 20:05.09 in the 2022 National Cross Country Championships in Tororo in February, says she has prepared well to win big in Slovakia.

Loice Chekwemoi in the 1500m race in Serbia last year. Photo by Aloysius Byamukama

“I have recovered from the injury that has been disturbing me. I know all eyes are on me and I will work hard not to disappoint the many that have hope in me, including my teammates. The national cross country championship was a good test for me,” Chekwemoi said.

Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) assembled a strong team of seven boys and five girls including Dominic Krop Naido, Abel Chebet, Edith Chebet, Dolphine Chelimo, Priscilla Akello, Solomon Cherotoo, Godwin Yeko, Financia Chekwemboi, Vicky Chekwemboi, Fred Kiptoo, Maureen Chebet and Chekwemoi for the championships.

The team has been pitching camp at Old Kampala for a week under the guidance of Justine Bayiga and will fly out on Thursday morning.

Uganda will be among the over 30 countries that have confirmed taking part in the championships that precede the ISF U-18 games due May 14-23 in Normandy, France.